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Why Meshes of the Afternoon (1943) is One of My Favorite Experimental Films

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  • čas přidán 1. 03. 2023
  • Last year I talked about an experimental film called Wavelength (1967), a 40 minute shot of a wall with an awful continuous shrieking sound. Possibly the worst movie I've ever seen! But what about the art films I actually like? Let me tell you about a favorite of mine, 1943's Meshes of the Afternoon!
    Wavelength review: • What's the Worst Movie...
    Jan Švankmajer's Genius Stop Motion Animation: • Jan Švankmajer's Geniu...
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    #cinemassacre #jamesrolfe #meshesoftheafternoon #movierecap #experimentalfilm

Komentáře • 373

  • @WaterborneCamper
    @WaterborneCamper Před rokem +320

    I absolutely love listening to James talk about stuff like this

    • @taffysaur
      @taffysaur Před rokem +16

      Me too, I always enjoy people sharing their passion.

    • @Viper-py4pg
      @Viper-py4pg Před rokem +1

      I agree! I love modern James!

    • @mustachewalrus
      @mustachewalrus Před 11 měsíci +1

      Everything I know about film is from James

    • @Dejahthoris22
      @Dejahthoris22 Před 11 měsíci +1

      Me too !!

  • @lelabotoxique
    @lelabotoxique Před rokem +518

    Experimental James is one of my favs. He should talk more often about obscure movies. Such as this one. 👍

  • @thomasgeorggoenitzer
    @thomasgeorggoenitzer Před rokem +60

    This is not only one of my favorite movies ever made but also one of my biggest inspirations for my own work. The worldbuilding, the characters, the camera, the editing - it's a masterpiece

  • @konami1979
    @konami1979 Před rokem +222

    Thanks for introducing a lot of people to this classic. You can definitely see that the film influenced David Lynch's work.

  • @kotalee2106
    @kotalee2106 Před rokem +31

    this is the only movie to give me recurring nightmares. it's so striking. the mirror face is so simple, yet so effective.

  • @pacbilly
    @pacbilly Před rokem +43

    You can definitely see the influence this one had on filmmakers like Guy Maddin, who may be my favorite working director today.

  • @jesslinde2378
    @jesslinde2378 Před rokem +19

    When I was a teenager Monster Madness made me wanna be a film critic. This year I get my masters, thanks James!

  • @Jared_Wignall
    @Jared_Wignall Před rokem +132

    I always enjoy hearing James talk about films he enjoys. You can always see the enthusiasm when he talks about them.

  • @AubreyTheKing
    @AubreyTheKing Před rokem +15

    I love it when James talks about these old films, it NEVER gets old for me!!

  • @theanimerican
    @theanimerican Před rokem +5

    I watched this in a film class, and this film evoked all sorts of undescribable emotions in me. It's been hard to remember the name of the film but I'm glad to finally know it. Thanks, James for talking about the film. The mirror person with a hood and the way the camera moves are such stand out moments. It's a pleasure to hear you talk about Meshes of the Afternoon.

  • @SannaKore
    @SannaKore Před rokem +101

    I wonder if Kate Bush had seen this movie when she was young because it very much gave me the same feeling as many of her music videos. Or maybe it just influenced her generation, not sure, but I really did like the style of this! Thank you for sharing it with us! ^_^

    • @notsure1969
      @notsure1969 Před rokem +8

      Keep running up that hill!

    • @Wagoo
      @Wagoo Před rokem +2

      Make a deal with The Reaper

    • @baraka92
      @baraka92 Před rokem +17

      The key inside the mouth is on the artwork of The Dreaming.

    • @xanderathome
      @xanderathome Před rokem

      I was thinking the same

    • @mrsrobophile
      @mrsrobophile Před rokem +4

      I thought the same thing. They even look similar.

  • @mr.manpants9460
    @mr.manpants9460 Před rokem +39

    I'd like more videos like this! I love the rare and unusual film projects.

  • @Arinisonfire
    @Arinisonfire Před rokem +39

    Love how James just casually showed the eyeball slice scene from Un Chien Andalou totally uncensored. Absolute madman
    He should review Saló next

    • @Games_and_Music
      @Games_and_Music Před rokem +4

      I think he did discuss that one in one of the podcasts with Kieran and Justin etc.
      Or it might've been one of the rental store review videos they did.
      Can't really remember, or what they said about it.. so, there's that. haha

  • @moonstoneuniverse8516
    @moonstoneuniverse8516 Před rokem +105

    James should do an audio book, I don’t care what I just want to listen to him over and over!!! 💙🌙

    • @LotusPlant
      @LotusPlant Před rokem +21

      he read the audiobook of his autobiography

    • @moonstoneuniverse8516
      @moonstoneuniverse8516 Před rokem +5

      @@LotusPlant that’s all I hoped for 🥰

    • @LotusPlant
      @LotusPlant Před rokem +3

      @@moonstoneuniverse8516 I just got it, I'm listening to it now!

    • @clipsedrag13
      @clipsedrag13 Před rokem

      And she has the key in her mouth

  • @poweroffriendship2.0
    @poweroffriendship2.0 Před rokem +90

    That mysterious figure who wears a cloak and has a mirror for a face is the most creepiest yet fascinating character in the film.

    • @Games_and_Music
      @Games_and_Music Před rokem +11

      It reminds me of the villain in Vidocq (2001), i always loved the mirrored style visors.

  • @Thedeadjoker666
    @Thedeadjoker666 Před rokem +8

    I love this movie as a musician. Being a movie without a score, you could make up your own! And there's so much different stuff you could do with it as it's so inspirational in many different directions. I've been experimenting with electric guitar down tuned an octave which I found fitting.

  • @OldMovieRob
    @OldMovieRob Před rokem +9

    1940's era is one of my favorite timeframes of cinema, and compared to other films of this era this one definitely stands out.

  • @audiebridge3103
    @audiebridge3103 Před rokem +18

    Love when James talks about old movies. Never heard of this but I'm adding it to my to watch list.

  • @Ruskefaen
    @Ruskefaen Před rokem +8

    I remember making an edit of the film with the Silent Hill 2 soundtrack in the background. It worked surprisingly well!

  • @BrandonCroker
    @BrandonCroker Před rokem +7

    I love hearing James discuss any film.

  • @andrijapetkovic7164
    @andrijapetkovic7164 Před rokem +4

    James, I want to thank you for opening up the whole world of experimental movies and watching something that's not everyone's cup of tea. Hoping to continue making videos like this. Cheers.

  • @Yuberz
    @Yuberz Před rokem +6

    Had to watch this for a film class last semester. Meshes of the afternoon definitely stood out among the other films shown in class.

  • @kingdomkey2397
    @kingdomkey2397 Před rokem +5

    I've seen this movie in my own experimental video class. Really fascinating, and it makes you draw your own conclusions about the subject matter. Always enjoy when you talk about movies. :)

  • @420Pikachu
    @420Pikachu Před rokem +2

    4:28 Wow... now I think I understand David Lynch's Mulholland drive. Really cool video James!

  • @TheSimTetuChannel
    @TheSimTetuChannel Před rokem +4

    Tony must have really appreciated the razor blade slicing eyeball scene! 🤣

  • @MrJmd116
    @MrJmd116 Před rokem +3

    James I really miss the podcast show. I really enjoyed it and hearing about ur experiences and memories. Forget the haters ur true fans loved it.

  • @Geferulf_TAS
    @Geferulf_TAS Před rokem +1

    This is the kind of content fans want James. You sitting down geeking out with your fans.

  • @livvy94
    @livvy94 Před rokem +13

    Challenging art is such an important thing that should not be lost in this era of Marvel movies setting peoples' expectations of what films do. This also applies to games...

  • @OuterGalaxyLounge
    @OuterGalaxyLounge Před rokem +1

    I've been pushing this movie for years, but nobody listens to me, so thanks for using your massive platform to share film art.

  • @Domingo95x
    @Domingo95x Před rokem +2

    Mila Jovovitch has a music video that pays tribute to this film.The song is called "Gentleman Who Fell "

  • @BelmontGaming
    @BelmontGaming Před rokem +2

    In case James ever gets to read this, I really do hope he makes more videos like this one. Standard AVGN stuff is fine, but he's got other interesting stuff to say too.

  • @piotyrholbion
    @piotyrholbion Před rokem +3

    Could the Reaper having a mirror be a metaphore for suicide?

  • @suzy8track
    @suzy8track Před 11 měsíci +1

    I remember seeing this when I was in a psychology class in the 80s. It's one of those films that you never forget.

  • @gustavo9758
    @gustavo9758 Před rokem +2

    Hey there man! I hope eveything is going alright up there (I'm from Mexico). I love your stuff!

  • @Demandy
    @Demandy Před rokem +2

    I actually love these kind of videos absolute peak Cinemassacre

  • @AceOfHeartz4
    @AceOfHeartz4 Před rokem +1

    I plan on watching this, but just from your overview this seems like a window into the soul. Which mirrors can be attributed to. It all feels connected yet stretched into multiple areas. Cant wait to see

  • @siriguillo
    @siriguillo Před rokem +1

    Great content James. I love to hear you speak about movies

  • @Foolyguy
    @Foolyguy Před rokem +2

    Only recently found out about this film myself. While I don't usually go for these 'experimental' kind of films I have to admit this one intrigued me greatly. The mysterious mirror figure I feel is a creature that should be explored more in other films/media.

    • @Games_and_Music
      @Games_and_Music Před rokem

      Vidocq (2001) had a similar figure in it, although not as ominous eventually because the character gets way more exposure, but i do like the design/concept.

  • @patrickblakethesaint
    @patrickblakethesaint Před rokem +1

    Experimental is kinda my favorite thing ever. German expressionist is my bread and butter, but I love the idea of non sequitur actually having a meaning. This makes me so happy to see. Thank you, James, for bringing this kinda awesome to the masses

  • @21stCenturyNabokov
    @21stCenturyNabokov Před rokem +1

    Maya Deren's movies always had a very dreamy feel to her movies.A friend of mine suggested me her movies a year ago and her movies definitely did leave me with a strong impression

  • @julesgamingnstuff
    @julesgamingnstuff Před rokem +1

    I love finding out about these lesser-known films, especially older stuff. Have you looked into any of Busby Berkeley's work? Even stuff from 90 years ago still blows my mind on how it was done, super pioneering visually.

  • @logancoleman3915
    @logancoleman3915 Před rokem +2

    I really enjoyed this film as well, but my favorite from school was La Jette

  • @curri189
    @curri189 Před rokem

    Thanks for sharing these classic obscure films with us James!

  • @QuirkyCurlyKenny
    @QuirkyCurlyKenny Před rokem +2

    I've been obsessed with this one for years 😍

  • @RenataHanusova
    @RenataHanusova Před rokem

    James thank you for these videos about films. I love it when you talk about non mainstream films, i learnt alot.

  • @jordanstuck747
    @jordanstuck747 Před rokem +1

    I could seriously listen to James talk about old movies alllll day

  • @unclesporkums
    @unclesporkums Před rokem

    Nice review, James. I remember you mentioning this one before. It is quite the experience and a nice early example of surrealism.

  • @Hestoughtokill9
    @Hestoughtokill9 Před rokem

    Thank you so much for making videos like this, James!
    My favorite kind of content you make.

  • @yannu4467
    @yannu4467 Před rokem

    I just love those videos. Thanks, James.

  • @fiskcrierke
    @fiskcrierke Před 9 měsíci

    I am in truly impressed, no one talks about Jan Svankmajer. I will be watching Meshes of the Afternoon. Thank you.

  • @rubbersoul420
    @rubbersoul420 Před rokem +1

    I'm shocked to see James do an expose on this film because I love it and no one has ever heard of it. I found this from looking up what movies influenced David Lynch and everything I found was pure gold!

  • @Bant_Panorama
    @Bant_Panorama Před rokem

    Love how you lead with having remembered this from film school, that’s the same thing I said to myself when I saw the thumbnail.

  • @arthaiser
    @arthaiser Před rokem +3

    that ending is lovecraftian to me, in the sense that i seems like something supernatural has happened there, something that we cant hope to understand, and whatever happened ended up killing that woman. like a hound of tindalos-like being just appeared there

    • @Games_and_Music
      @Games_and_Music Před rokem

      The way you describe it made me think of Donnie Darko.
      Although i am not specifically a fan of the execution of the concept the way they did in Donnie Darko, but i do like the futile exploration of a dead end, pun intended.
      Which makes me think of The Swimmer (1968) again.
      But i did like how the mirror broke and it all becoming abstract, like there was another layer to it that we cannot grasp yet.
      Instead of just being vague and weird.

  • @badenialshreebley91
    @badenialshreebley91 Před rokem

    I’m so glad you’re making videos like this, I missed the signature Cinnemascre style

  • @danielturpin8776
    @danielturpin8776 Před rokem

    Great video! I'm gonna check this out!! Thank you for sharing your film knowledge! I love seeing you do these because you are so passionate about film! Love ya James!!!

  • @EricJae.
    @EricJae. Před rokem +7

    My fav is Eraserhead

  • @Nobody_Special310
    @Nobody_Special310 Před rokem +2

    I wonder what James's thoughts are on The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb.

  • @schumanhuman
    @schumanhuman Před rokem +11

    Maya Deren and Kenneth Anger were the two experimental directors that impressed me most.

  • @StanleyKubricksBeard
    @StanleyKubricksBeard Před rokem

    Great video Mr. Rolfe! Keep the obscure, avant-garde, experimental, weird, film reviews coming.

  • @alexkrajci
    @alexkrajci Před 4 měsíci +1

    I Like It When James Rolfe Talks About Movies.

  • @PatrickWDunne
    @PatrickWDunne Před rokem +1

    The only thing I like more than AVGN is James talking about movies

  • @pajamapantsjack5874
    @pajamapantsjack5874 Před rokem +2

    I’d love to hear what James thinks of skinamarink, a new favorite experimental film I thoroughly enjoyed

  • @Juanjitsu135
    @Juanjitsu135 Před rokem

    Love these videos james your planet of the apes review and the treasure of the Serria Madré are some of my faves

  • @user-rw1mo6vg7z
    @user-rw1mo6vg7z Před rokem +1

    im guessing the name Deja Vu was taken back in 1943? cause that name seems more appropriate for the movie

  • @Mankey619
    @Mankey619 Před rokem

    It looks amazing and I really love these types of films where the filmmakers do these amazing experimental work in movies. The rotating camera and the mirror faces reaper are the coolest things I’ve seen. Definitely gonna check this movie out.

  • @aussieraver7182
    @aussieraver7182 Před rokem +1

    1:21
    UUUHHHGGGGHH
    I wasn't ready for that!!
    LOL

  • @Jaksolo
    @Jaksolo Před rokem

    I love this video it reminds me of middle school learning about movies I had never heard of from the monster madness reviews

  • @Winlaw459
    @Winlaw459 Před rokem +1

    Hey james random question, have u ever done a top ten list or a list in general on your favorite music videos?
    Anyways hope all is well loved the content since 2007💜

  • @sensless
    @sensless Před rokem

    I’m in film school right now and they still show it. It’s crazy to hear James talk about a film I just watched

  • @YuniorGamboa
    @YuniorGamboa Před rokem

    This type of video always gives me a deeper sense of the film industry I had no idea about until Janes mentioned it.

  • @TyDie85
    @TyDie85 Před rokem

    I never knew about this film. I am thankful that you expose this kind of thing to a big audience! I am going to search it NOW

  • @Tomiply
    @Tomiply Před rokem +1

    That reminds me of a movie I saw called "I'm Thinking of Ending Things". It's a pretty surrealistic movie, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was inspired by this.

  • @robertcrist124
    @robertcrist124 Před rokem +7

    I thought this was going to be about her being trapped by the guy and he was going to be the death of her sort of thing.
    The contorting of the camera and body and she moves around was really well done. I don’t get lost or have problems with direction but I had to look away because it was tripping me up.

  • @nehemiahpouncey3607
    @nehemiahpouncey3607 Před rokem +2

    Wonder what James thinks about
    Skinimarink?

  • @chrispodesta9728
    @chrispodesta9728 Před 5 dny

    I'm a bit of a late bloomer with a lot of cinemasacre stuff outside of that one series... Definitely come to know that I really like James' take on a lot of media though. AND I'm a Maya Deren fan, sooo stoked to watch this

  • @betacollector9343
    @betacollector9343 Před rokem +1

    I have not seen this, I'm going to have to check it out now.

  • @skrrskrr
    @skrrskrr Před rokem +2

    Is it perhaps because it's awesome and cool?

  • @Boltscrap
    @Boltscrap Před rokem

    James talking about film is always a treat.

  • @Daniel_Martin98
    @Daniel_Martin98 Před rokem +1

    I’d love to see James review eraserhead

  • @HellOnWheel
    @HellOnWheel Před rokem

    I'd like to see you do one on Herzog/Kinski films. I know there's a lot of those on CZcams already, but would love to hear your perspective.

  • @kevinsherman6162
    @kevinsherman6162 Před rokem

    I read your book and I loved it. Thank you for all you do!!

  • @AvantTom
    @AvantTom Před rokem

    James it’s so awesome that you are going over some of these film school movies. You should do one on a Stan brakhage film, or maybe Kenneth Anger or Serene Velocity by Ernie Gehr!

  • @gmodrules123456789
    @gmodrules123456789 Před rokem +2

    I prefer the movie videos over the Nerd videos. Way more informative and interesting.

  • @gustavo9758
    @gustavo9758 Před rokem +1

    1:49 getting some Plumbers don't Wear Ties vibes there...

  • @nachos1162
    @nachos1162 Před rokem

    My interpretation is that the mirror face means "to reflect upon yourself and your actions" as the clones of herself appear alongside each other after every cycle. There's a lot that happens that plays into this idea, but I think that could be it because a lot of what happens seems to support this idea

  • @DarkmanPoe
    @DarkmanPoe Před rokem +1

    Absolutely love the work of Maya Deren and Jan Svankmajer. Very happy to see you cover their work.

  • @SharleeAviles
    @SharleeAviles Před rokem +1

    I recommend Alejandro Jorodovsky's "Lis and Fando" or "Santa sangre"....you will jawbreak for sure.

  • @MikkelHNielsen
    @MikkelHNielsen Před rokem

    What? An actual new video!? Amazing!

  • @fursona_au_chocolat
    @fursona_au_chocolat Před rokem

    the scene with the mirror shattering to reveal the beach is so cool (8:46)

  • @10voltsam
    @10voltsam Před rokem +1

    Would love to hear your thoughts on Skinamarink

  • @numismaticstacker
    @numismaticstacker Před rokem

    Board james full house is a masterpiece! I wish you could do another iconic series as such!

  • @pasi8800
    @pasi8800 Před rokem

    Only James does videos like this and that's why I love him!

  • @rustyshacklefordFIAT
    @rustyshacklefordFIAT Před rokem +2

    Thanks for making my lunch break nice, and giving me something to research when I clock out

  • @GoetiaTV
    @GoetiaTV Před rokem

    I need to watch this. Thanks for sharing. The cloaked figure with a mirror face is also used in Janelle Monae’s music video for Tightrope.

  • @TheAngryShadowknight
    @TheAngryShadowknight Před rokem

    The camera work at the stairs makes me think of Sam Rami's style.

  • @walt_man
    @walt_man Před rokem

    Thanks for the warning about the "Lucia Fulce' moment James! >.< lol

  • @natema5927
    @natema5927 Před rokem +1

    Very interesting video! I will need to check this out

  • @father042
    @father042 Před měsícem

    I like how this is almost as long as the movie itself

  • @micheledeidda2565
    @micheledeidda2565 Před rokem

    Thank ypu for this pearl! Amazing also how well it aged!!!!

  • @TristenTimberwolf
    @TristenTimberwolf Před rokem +1

    I remember hearing about this movie from a BlameitonJorge video